Choosing between Xiaomi and Samsung smartwatches isn’t just a brand issue, it’s a balance between functionality, autonomy and ecosystem. Both companies offer uniquely-chip devices: Samsung is betting on premium design and deep integration with Android, and Xiaomi is betting on accessibility, advanced health sensors and record-breaking autonomy. But what watch will be right for you?
In this article, we will compare the top models of 2023-2026 (Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, Watch S3, Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic and Watch 5 Pro), analyze their strengths and weaknesses, and help determine the choice depending on your priorities: sports, style, compatibility with the iPhone or budget.
Spoiler: If you want a watch with maximum autonomy (up to 14 days) and accurate sleep monitoring, look towards Xiaomi. AMOLED-The screen, the rotating bezel and the Google Play support -- Samsung's out of competition!
1. Compatible with phones: Android vs iPhone
One of the key factors when choosing a smartwatch is compatibility with your smartphone, where Samsung and Xiaomi are radically different.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch (series 4/5/6) officially supports only Android smartphones (version 8.0+), while three apps are required to work fully: Galaxy Wearable, Samsung Health and Google Play Services. With iPhone, the clock syncs are extremely limited: you can receive notifications and calls, but there is no synchronization of health, installing apps and responding to messages.
Xiaomi has a better situation: the watch (like the Watch 2 Pro or Watch S3) works with both Android and iOS via the Mi Fitness app (formerly Zepp Life). iPhone functionality is stripped down (no quick messages responses), but health data is fully synchronized and notifications come in without delay.
⚠️ Note: If you have an iPhone, the Samsung Galaxy Watch will be an expensive toy with minimal functionality. Xiaomi is a smarter choice despite the limitations of the iPhone.
Samsung does not support Xiaomi watches in its Samsung Health ecosystem, while Xiaomi allows you to export data to Google Fit, Apple Health and even Strava.
2.Cladding design and material: premium vs practicality
Samsung has traditionally positioned its watches as premium accessories: The Galaxy Watch 6 Classic and Watch 5 Pro are made of stainless steel with sapphire glass, have a rotating bezel (in the Classic version), and look like a classic mechanical watch, starting at 50 grams, which is felt on the hand, but adds solidity.
Xiaomi, on the contrary, relies on lightness and versatility. the case of the Watch 2 Pro and Watch S3 is made of aluminum alloy with Gorilla Glass, and the weight does not exceed 35-40 grams. The design is concise, but less “rich” is more a sports watch than a stylish accessory.
Compare the key differences in the table:
| Parameter | Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic | Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Case material | Stainless steel | Aluminum alloy |
| Glass. | Sapphire | Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Weight. | 52 g (43 mm) | 35g |
| Rotating bezel | Yes (in the Classic version) | No. |
| Color options | Black, silver, gold. | Black, silver, green. |
The critical point is that if you wear a watch to work or important events, Samsung looks status-based, whereas Xiaomi is more suited for sports and casual wear.
- 💎 Samsung: premium materials, rotating bezel, stylish appearance.
- 🏃 Xiaomi: light weight, resistance to shocks, sports design.
- 🔄 Both brands offer interchangeable straps (20 mm for Samsung, 22 mm for Xiaomi).
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If you exercise frequently, opt for Xiaomi with a silicone strap – it doesn’t rub your skin when sweating, unlike Samsung’s leather straps.
3. Autonomy: Where does the battery last longer?
One of Xiaomi’s biggest highlights is its record-breaking autonomy: For example, the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro runs up to 14 days on a single charge in standard mode and up to 30 days in energy saving mode. Even with active use (GPS, notifications, sleep monitoring), the watch will live for 5-7 days.
Samsung is lagging behind: the Galaxy Watch 6 will last 1.5-2 days at best when used intensively, with a rotating bezel and bright screen eating up charge especially quickly, and the only consolation is support for fast charging (45 minutes to 100%).
The difference is explained simply:
Xiaomi uses energy-efficient chips (e.g. Qualcomm Snapdragon W5+ in Watch 2 Pro) and optimized software.
Samsung is putting powerful processors (Exynos W930) for smooth Wear OS, but this affects the autonomy.
⚠️ Note: If you forget to charge your gadgets, Samsung will become a source of daily irritation. Xiaomi in this regard is much more loyal – you will have to charge the watch once a week.
- 🔋 Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro: 500 mAh, up to 14 days of autonomy.
- ⚡ Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: 425 mAh, 1.5–2 days.
- 🔌 Fast charging: Samsung has 45 minutes to 100%, Xiaomi has 120 minutes.
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If autonomy is critical for you (for example, for hiking or business trips), Xiaomi wins by a huge margin.
4. Health and Sports Functions: Which is More Specific?
Both brands equip their watches with advanced sensors, but approaches to health analytics are different. Samsung focuses on medical metrics (such as blood pressure and ECG measurements), while Xiaomi focuses on athletic performance and sleep monitoring.
Let's compare the key functions:
| Function | Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 | Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| ECG | Yes (certified) | No. |
| Pressure measurement | Yeah (requires calibration) | No. |
| Sleep monitoring | Basic (sleep phases) | Advanced (respiratory analysis, snoring, REM-phase) |
| SpO₂ (oxygen) | Yes. | Yes (with low-level warnings) |
| Sporting regimes | ~90 species | ~150 species (including yoga and crossfit) |
Xiaomi stands out for its deep sleep analysis: the watch tracks not only phases, but also sleep breathing, snoring, and even pulse stress. The Mi Fitness app provides personalized sleep recommendations for those with insomnia.
Samsung, in turn, offers certified medical functions (ECG and pressure), but they do not work in all countries (for example, in Russia, the ECG can be blocked), but Samsung Health has integration with doctors – you can export data for consultation.
How to turn on the ECG on the Samsung Galaxy Watch?
- ❤️ Samsung: ECG, pressure, integration with doctors.
- 💤 Xiaomi: Advanced sleep monitoring, 150 sports modes.
- 📊 Both brands support Google Fit and Apple Health to export data.
5.Software: Wear OS vs MIUI Watch
Here, Samsung has an undeniable advantage: the watch runs on Wear OS (co-developed with Google), which means:
Access to Google Play (you can install any application: Spotify, Telegram, Google Maps).
Google Assistant (or Bixby)
Smooth multitasking (you can listen to music and check notifications at the same time).
Xiaomi uses its own MIUI Watch shell, which:
Faster and more energy efficient (no background processes).
- Limited in applications (only preset: weather, timer, pedometer).
Supports voice assistant XiaoAI (only in Chinese).
If you want a smartwatch with advanced features (like paying for Google Pay or navigating Google Maps), go for Samsung. If basic features + sports metrics are enough, Xiaomi will do just as well.
Install Spotify|Pay for your purchase via Google Pay|Use Google Maps to navigate|Manage a Smart Home through Google Home-->
⚠️ Note: You can’t install third-party apps on the Xiaomi Watch, but they don’t slow down over time (unlike Samsung, where Wear is a big part of the game). OS It can be used after a year of use).
6.Price and price-quality ratio
Xiaomi has traditionally offered more affordable prices with comparable functionality.
- Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro — ~15 000–18 000 ₽.
- Xiaomi Watch S3 — ~12 000–14 000 ₽.
Samsung asks for its watches 1.5-2 times more:
- Galaxy Watch 6 Classic — ~30 000–35 000 ₽.
- Galaxy Watch 5 Pro — ~25 000–28 000 ₽.
The price difference isn’t always justified: for example, the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro has a brighter screen (450 nits vs. 300 nits from Samsung), lasts longer and tracks sleep more accurately. Paying twice as much for Samsung, you get a premium design, Wear OS and ECG – but do you need them?
- 💰 Budget up to 15,000 ₽: Xiaomi only (e.g., Watch) S3).
- 💳 Budget 20,000-300,000 ₽: Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro or Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 (without Classic bezel).
- 👑 No budget restrictions: Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic is the best premium choice.
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If you don't need an ECG and Google Play, Xiaomi offers the best price-per-quality ratio. By paying for Samsung, you're overpaying for the brand and ecosystem.
7. Which watch to choose in 2026? script recommendations
To make the choice easier, we have prepared recommendations for different categories of users:
- 🏃 For sports and fitness: Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro (150 sports modes, accurate sleep monitoring, light weight).
- 💼 For business and style: Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic (premium design, rotating bezel, support for Google Pay).
- 📱 For iPhone owners: Xiaomi Watch S3 (Full health synchronization, while Samsung on iOS is almost useless).
- 🔋 For those who forget to charge gadgets: Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro (up to 14 days of autonomy vs 1.5 days from Samsung).
- ❤️ For health monitoring: Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 (ECG and pressure), but check the availability of features in your area!
If you are still in doubt, answer 3 key questions:
1.Do you need third-party apps (Spotify, Google Maps)? → If so, take Samsung.
2.Does autonomy last more than 3 days matter? → If so, take Xiaomi.
3.Do you have an iPhone? → Then Xiaomi is the only reasonable option.